Breech locking mechanism for breakaction over and under firearm



Sept. 29, 1970 R. E. STAGGS 3,530,609

BREECH LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM Filed July 29, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RALPH E. STAGGS gww R. E.'STAGG$ BREECH LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION Sept. 29, 1970 OVER AND UNDER FIREARM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1968 L; 41in mo.

INVENTOR.

Sept. 29, 1970 R. E. STAGGS 3,530,609

BREECH LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM Filed July 29, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 H5 30 H4 Us a FIG. 8

82 84 INVENTOR. 88 90 RALPH E. STAGGS United States Patent U.S. C]. 42-43 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A firearms mechanism comprising an over and under superimposed multiple barrel firearm having a breaktype action operable pivotally on a horizontal axis and comprising a breech locking mechanism wherein a pair of relatively movable locking members are operable by a pivoted lever, and wherein one of the locking members is adapted to lock the breech of the firearm mechanism and may move a greater distance than the other of the locking members so that a long stroke may be provided for cocking the hammers of the mechanism, and a relatively short stroke may be provided for locking and un locking a barrel housing of the mechanism relative to the breech housing thereof, and to thereby insure full cocking of said hammers before the barrel housing is unlocked relative to the breech housing of the firearm mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in a firearm mechanism as disclosed in Pat. 3,276,158, issued to Harold E. Johnson on Oct. 4, 1966, and more particularly, to improvements in a breech locking mechanism for a firear-rn mechanism such as disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

In accordance with this prior art firearm mechanism, it was possible to open the action and barrel housing relative to the breech housing without cocking the hammers, and it was also possible to reload the barrels of the firearm, and close the action without cocking the hammers. Under these conditions, the hammers of the prior art mechanism were at rest against the firing pins, and under such conditions, the firearm, if dropped or forcefully bounced on the butt of the stock, would cause inertia of the hammers under spring loading to apply suflicient force to the firing pins to inadvertently fire cartridges in the barrels of the firearm. This condition was even more dangerous than having the hammers in cocked position since it was not possible to cause the hammers to release from the sears by dropping the firearm.

The foregoing difficulties of the prior art firearm mechanism, were encountered due to the fact that the breech locking mechanism, including a locking lug having a lesser amount of travel to unlock the breech mechanism of the firearm than that required to cock the hammers; the hammers being cocked by a common member forming part of the breech locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a firearm mechanism, and particularly to an improvement over that disclosed Patented Sept. 29, 1970 in the above identified patent. The firearm mechanism of the invention, thus includes a breech locking mechanism which includes a pair of locking members independently movable relative to each other, and adapted progressively in operation to first cock the hammers before releasing the locking lug of the barrel housing of the invention relative to the breech housing so that, in all instances, the hammers of the present firearm mechanism, must first be cocked before the breech of the respective firearm may be opened and reloaded. The specific features of the invention includes a two-piece locking mechanism, wherein an actuator or lever engages one of the members of the locking mechanism and moves it rearward for a considerable distance independently of the other member so as to provide an additional stroke for first cocking the hammers of the firearm mechanism before the member of the locking mechanism which releases the breech is retracted rearwardly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a very safe and novel firearm mechanism which is adapted to improve mechanisms such as disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple and reliable two-piece breech locking mechanism, wherein a lever actuates one piece of the mechanism a given distance before it contacts the other piece of the mechanism; said one piece preliminarily cocking the hammers of the firearm mechanism, while the other piece subsequently releases the barrel housing of the invention so it may pivot to an open position with respect to the breech housing of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firearm mechanism which causes the hammers of a break-action firearm to be first cocked before the action may be opened, and also provides for a suitable camming mechanism of the breech locking lugs which permits the breech readily to be closed without undue effort.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a firearm incorporating an improved mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the firearms mechanism shown in FIG. 1, but showing the barrel housing of the firearm in open position relative to the breech housing and showing the actuating lever in an opening position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the firearms mechanism of the invention showing parts removed and portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration, and showing by broken lines a varying position of parts of the mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of novel structure of the firearms mechanism of the invention, showing the two-piece locking mechanisms thereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the locking mechanism and the firing pin hammer mechanism of the invention in a partially actuated position wherein the actuating lever of the mechanism is moved a partial distance toward the cocking of the hammers and the opening of the breech locking structure of the mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing a further progressive disposition of the mechanism shown in FIG. 9, wherein the hammers are cocked and retraction of the breech locking lug structure of the mechanism is partially retracted relative to the barrel housing of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, and showing a further progression of the movement of the mechanism toward a position in which the hammers have been moved beyond the cocked position and the locking lug of the locking mechanism of the invention has been fully retracted to allow opening pivotal movement of the barrel housing relative to the breech housing of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention, as hereinbefore pointed out, relates to improvements over a firearm mechanism disclosed in Pat. 3,276,158, and the improvements relate particularly to the hammer cocking mechanism and the breech locking and unlocking mechanism of the invention. The present invention and improvements insure that the hammers of the firearm mechanism will be in the fully cocked position and held away from the firing pins before the locking mechanism of the invention may release the barrel housing to move or pivot to an open position relative to the breech housing, this being important in order to insure that the barrels of the prior art mechanism may not be reloaded without cocking the hammers. Thus, the hammers are held by the sears of the mechanism away from the firing pins, such that axial shock loading of the firearm, such as may be caused by dropping it will not cause the hammers to ignite the primers of cartridges in the chambers of the firearm mechanism, thus accidental discharge of the firearm is greatly minimized as compared to the prior art, as disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

Reference is hereby made to the aforementioned patent, and particularly FIG. 2, showing a retracting locking lug 112 which is substantially shorter than the distance between the faces 276 and 278 of the locking block and the hammer retracting portions, respectively. Thus, the locking lug 112 may be retracted away from the lug 102 and allows the barrels to be opened without moving the block 214 rearwardly far enough to insure that the face 276 will force the face 278 rearwardly a suflicient distance to cause the hammer portions 154 to be locked and engaged by the sear portions 150. Thus, the faces 198 of the hammers 200 may be caused to rest upon the respective firing pins 196 and 194, and when the gun is caused to react to shock loading, the inertia reaction of the hammers 198 under loading of the springs 188 will cause the firing pins to be forcefully forced forward, such that the nib portions 208 will indent the primers in the cartridges in the barrels of the firearm and cause an accidental misfire.

The present invention alleviates this condition, as will be fully described in detail in the following portions of the specification.

The firearm mechanism of the present invention is provided with a breech housing 12 having a conventional butt stock 14 secured thereto. A barrel housing 16 is pivoted by means of a pin 18 to the breech housing 12 at forwardly extended tang portions 20 thereof.

The breech housing 16 carries the barrels 22 and 24 which have open chambers adjacent the cartridge head engaging face 26 of the breech housing 12. The barrel housing 16 is provided with a breech locking lug 28 which cooperates with the locking mechanism in the breech housing 12, as will be hereinafter described. Said locking mechanism being operable by a hand lever 30 pivoted on the bolt 32 carried by the breech housing 12.

As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the locking mechanism of the present invention is generally designated 34, and is composed of a forward member 36 and a rearward member 38 which are slidably mounted between rectilinear guide portions 40 and 42 of the breech housing 12. The forward member 36 is provided with a forwardly extending locking lug 44 which is adapted to cooperate with the locking lug 28, as hereinbefore described. The locking lug is provided with a lower angular cam surface 46 which cams against a surface 48 disposed uppermost on the forwardly extending locking lug 44, such that when the barrel housing 16 is pivotally closed against the cartridge head engaging face 26, that the member 36 is forced backwardly under spring load, as will be hereinafter described, and into a locked position substantially as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

Reciprocally mounted in the breech housing 12 are hammers 50 and 52 which are offset, as shown best in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. These hammers are similar to those disclosed in the aforementioned patent, and the hammer 50, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, is provided with a downwardly extending engaging portion 54 adapted to be engaged by a rearwardly directed surface 56 of the member 38 of the locking mechanism of the present invention. The downwardly extending portion 54 of the hammer 50 is described herein, and it will be understood that the hammer 52 is provided with a similar portion engagable by the rearward end 56 of the member 38.

Integral with the portion 54 is a sear engaging portion 58 which is adapted to be engaged by a trigger control sear 57 which is spring loaded upwardly and adapted to be cammed into engagement with the portion 58 when the hammers 50 and 52 are forced backwardly into the position, as shown in FIG 4, by means of the rear portion 56 of the member 38.

A sear pivot pin 60 is fixed in the breech housing 12 and pivotally supports the sears 57, one of which engages each respective portion 58 of each hammer 50 and 52.

Mounted on the pin 60 between the respective sears is a spring support 62 which is adapted to support a locking mechanism return spring 64. This mechanism is shown in assembled position in FIG. 4 and in exploded position in FIG. 6.The triggers 115 and 116 are pivotally mounted on a pin 117 which extends through the lower portion of the breech housing 12. Cam surfaces disposed on the shank portions of the triggers bear upwardly on the bottoms of the sears 57 in the conventional manner as detailed in the above-referenced patent such that the sears 57 pivot about the pin 60 when the respective triggers 115 and 116 are drawn rearwardly.

The return spring support 62 is held in fixed position on the pin 60 and is prevented from rotating thereon by means of an end portion 65 held in a corner area 66 of the breech housing 12. Integral with the return spring support 62 is an extending pin portion 68 fitted internally of the return spring 64. The return spring 64 at its forward end is fitted into a socket 70 in the member 38 of the locking mechanism 34. The member 38 at its one end 56 is provided with a plate portion 72 which extends beyond opposite sides 74 and 76 of the member 38. The opposite sides 74 and 76 of the member 38 fit into adjacent relation with opposite inner sides 78 and 80, respectively, of the locking mechanism member 36. The member 38 is provided with a slot 82 into which an upper end 84 of the actuating lever 30 extends. The end 84 is adapted to bear against an end 86 of the slot 82 when the locking mechanism 34 is forced rearwardly toward the engaging portions 54 of the hammers 50 and 52.

The member 38, as shown best in FIG. 6 of the drawings, is provided with a pair of engaging projections 88 and 90 which extend upward through the side walls 78 and 80, and are adapted to traverse slots 92 in the sides of the locking member 36. This locking member 36 being a substantially inverted channel-shaped in cross-section structure in which the walls 78 and 80 are notched out, as shown at 92 on opposite sides of the member 36 to permit the engaging portions 88 and 90 of the member 38 to traverse a given distance before the engaging members 88 and 90 engage respective ends 94 and 96 of the slots 92 in the opposite side walls 78 and 80, all as will be hereinafter described in detail.

A pair of compression springs 100 and 102 are fitted I in recesses 104 in the rearward portion of the member 36 of the locking mechanism of the invention. These springs 100 and 102 bear on a forward surface 106 of the plate portion 72 of the member 38. The plate portion 72 ex; tending beyond opposite sides 74 and 76 of the member 38 provides outwardly extending ledge portions against which the springs 100 and 102 may hear. The return spring 64 tends to force the member 38 toward the barrel housing 16 and the springs 100 and 102 tend to force the locking member 36 forward relative to the locking member 38, and thus the locking lug 44 is forced into engagement with the respective locking lug 28 of the barrel housing 16 to hold the action of the firearm mechanism of the present invention closed, such that the barrel housing is held in the closed position relative to the breech housing and the lever 30 in the closed position. The mechanism, as shown in FIG. 7, is disclosed in a position wherein the hammers S and 52 are against the firing pins 108 and 110 and are held in this position by means of respec tive compression springs 112 and 114 tending to urge the hammers 50 and 52 forwardly against the firing pins 108 and 110. Thus, the mechanism shown in FIG. 7 is disclosed in a position which it would assume after having fired cartridges in the chambers of the barrels 22 and 24, respectively.

As hereinbefore pointed out, it is desirable that the hammers 50 and 52 be forced to a complete cocked position relative to the sears 57 so that the hammers may be held in such a position before the locking lug 44 is retracted relative to the locking lug 28 to permit the barrel housing 16 to be pivoted about the axis of the pin 18 to an open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

The locking mechanism 34, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, including the members 36 and 38, hereinbefore described, insure the cocking of the hammers 50 and 52 before the firearm mechanism can be moved to the open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Thus, hammers 50 and 52 cannot rest on the firing pins 108, 110 inadvertently after the firearm mechanism has been moved to the open position and reloaded. It is therefore a primary feature of the invention to insure such cocking of the hammers so that when the barrel housing 16 is again moved to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, with the hammers cocked, thatthe sears will hold the hammers and prevent them from making an inertia contact with the firing pins 108 and 110 when the firearm mechanism is subjected to shock loading, such as being dropped on the end of the butt stock.

Attention is now directed to a progression of operating movement of the locking mechanism of the invention progressing from FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, then FIG. 10, and finally FIG. 11. These figures show the progressive actions of the locking mechanism in the opening of the action and the cocking of the hammers, all as hereinbefore discussed.

The locking lug 44 of the member 36 is provided with a terminal end 49, while the locking lug 28 on the barrel housing 16 is provided with a terminal end 51. When the terminal end 49 clears the terminal end 51, the barrel housing 16 may be pivoted about the pin 18 to an open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

As hereinbefore pointed out, FIG. 7 illustrates the hammers 50 and 52 in the fired position, and in a position wherein cartridges in the chambers of the barrels 22 and 24 have been fired.

To reload the lever 30 is moved downwardly progressively from a position, shown in FIG. 7, to a position, shown in FIG. 9, wherein the engaging portions 88 and of of the member 38 are forced backwardly into engagement with the engaging end portions of the slotted portions 92, whereupon the end 56 of the member 38 con tacts the engaging portions 54 of the hammers 50 and 52, and forces the hammers into a position wherein the sear engaging portions 58 thereof are in close proximity to the sears 57. During the movement, the member 38 is forced backwardly by the end portion 84 of the lever 30, and the member 36 of the locking mechanism remains in stationary locked position.

As the lever 30 is moved downwardly and forwardly to a further position, as shown in FIG. 10, the engaging portions 58 are cammed over the sears 57 which are loaded by springs 59 to hold the hammers in the fully cooked position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hammers 50 and 52 have reached a fully cocked position relative to the sears, yet the terminal end portion of the locking lug 44 of the locking member 36 still interferes with the terminal end 51 of the locking lug 28 on the barrel housing 16.

The locking mechanism of the present invention thus permits the hammers to be fully cooked before the locking lugs 44 and 28 disengage to permit opening of the barrel housing relative to the breech housing.

As shown in FIG. 11 with further downward movement of the lever 30, the engaging portion 58 of the hammers 50 and 52 pass further backwardly in spaced relation to the sears 57 which permits full retraction of the terminal end 49 of the locking lug portion 44 relative to the terminal end 51 of the locking lug portion 28. Thus, pulling the locking lug 44 completely out of interference with the locking lug 28 and permitting the barrel housing 16 to be pivoted about the axis of the pin 18 into an open position, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 11, so that the barrels 22 and 24 may be reloaded with fresh cartridges, whereupon the action of the firearm may then be closed with the hammers in fully cocked position, and whereupon the safety of the firearm may be engaged with the sears to prevent accidental releasing of the hammers and accidental firing of the firearm.

In accordance with the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention relates to safety improvements in firearm mechanisms of the general-type disclosed in the aforementioned Pat. 3,276,158. Furthermore, the projection of the locking lug 44 may be quite short in proportion to the stroke of the hammers 50 and 52 so that the angles of the cam portions 46 and 48 may readily be compatible with easy closing of the barrel housing 16 relative to the breech housing 12. This is accomplished with a nominal amount of force due to the relatively steep cam angles of the surfaces 46 and 48 of the locking lugs 28 and 44, respectively, all as hereinbefore described.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a firearms mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal pivotal axis projecting upwardly into said breech housing; a looking mechanism slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engagable with said locking mechanism; said locking mechanism having a forward lug portion; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engagable by said forward lug portion of said locking mechanism for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; resilient means tending to hold said locking mechanism forwardly, said locking mechanism having a rearwardly directed portion; hammers movably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axis of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking mechanism; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; spring loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engagable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears out of engagement with said hammers, said locking mechanism composed of first and second members, said first member having a forward portionengagable with said locking lug on the lower portion of said barrel housing, said second member having a rearward portion engagable with said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; said second member slidable rearwardly independently of said first member for a predetermined distance during the cocking of said hammers relative to said sears; said upwardly projecting portion of said lever engagable with said second member; said first and second members having interfering portions, whereby said second members engages said first member when moved a predetermined distance in a rearward direction, such that said first member is engaged by said second member and moved rearwardly with progressive movement of said lever so as to permit a substantially long stroke of said locking mechanism for first cocking said hammers and a relatively short stroke of the first member of said locking mechanism relative to said locking lug on said barrel housing for subsequently unlocking said barrel housing relative to said breech housing; said forward lug portion carried by said first member, said locking lug on said barrel housing and said forward lug portion having complemental cam surfaces adapted to permit cam action closing of said barrel housing relative to said breech housing by camming said first member of said locking mechanism rearwardly against force of said resilient means as said barrel housing is pivoted into juxtaposition relative to said breech housing.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said resilient means includes a return spring supported in said breech housing and engaging said second member and tending to force it toward said barrel housing; and spring means supported between said first and second members and tending to force said first member toward said barrel housing and normally to force said forward lug portion into locking engagement with said locking lug; a return spring support member holding said return spring in juxtaposition in said breech housing; a sear pivot pin in said breech housing on which said support member is held; said sears pivoted on said pivot pin at opposite sides of said support member; said support member having a guide pin portion on which said return spring is supported; said support member having an arm portion extending away from said pin and engaged with the interior of said breech housing to prevent rotation of said support member about the axis of said pivot pin and to maintain alignment of said guide pin portion with respect to said second member of said locking mechanism.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said second member of said locking mechanism is provided with a socket therein; said return spring fitted in said socket.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: said first member is provided with a pair of spring holding sockets therein; said spring means comprising a pair of springs held in said pair of spring holding sockets.

5. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereto; a locking mechanism in said breech housing comprising first and second members and adapted to lock said barrel housing in closed position and against pivotal movement relative to said breech housing, said breech housing having substantially parallel spaced apart rectilinear guide bearing portions between which said locking mechanism is slidably mounted; said rectilinear guide bearing portions disposed generally in a forward and rearward direction to guide said locking mechanism accordingly; hammers in said housing disposed for cocking engagement by said second member of said locking mechanism, when moved in a rearward direction in said breech housing; sears for holding said hammers in the cocked position; a first locking lug on said barrel housing; said first locking lug having a forward and rearward dimension substantially less than the cocking stroke distance of said hammers; a second locking lug carried by said first member and being engagable with said first locking lug on said barrel housing; a locking mechanism actuating member movably mounted on said breech housing; said actuating member engagable with said second member of said locking mechanism, and disposed to move said second member rearwardly relative to said breech housing and relative to said first member; spaced apart first and second engaging portions carried by said first and second members, respectively; said engaging portions normally spaced apart a distance which permits said hammers to be cocked relative to said sears before said second locking lug is disengaged from said first locking lug, whereby a continuous movement of said actuating member forces said second member to move initially to partially cock said hammers, whereupon subsequent contact of said engaging portions of said first and second members causes said first member to be moved backwardly with said second member until said hammers are in fully cocked position, and said second locking lug is subsequently retracted from engagement with said first locking lug.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said first and second locking lugs are provided with inclined and mating cam surfaces which are capable of readily camming said first member of said locking mechanism backwardly when said barrel housing is pivoted into closed position relative to said breech housing.

7. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said first member is a generally inverted channel-shaped in cross-section structure having said second locking lug integral therewith at a forward end thereof; said channelshaped in cross-section structure having opposite sides provided with elongated openings therein; said second member slidably mounted between said opposite sides and having engaging lug portions projecting into said openings; the longitudinal dimension of said engaging lugs being substantially less than the length of said openings to form said engaging portions.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: a return spring is supported in said breech housing and engages said second member and tends to force said second member toward said barrel housing; and spring means supported between said second and first members, and tending to force said first member toward said barrel housing and normally to force said second locking lug into locking engagement with said first locking lug.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein: said second member of said locking mechanism is provided with a socket therein, said return spring fitted in said socket.

10. The invention, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said first member is provided with a pair of spring holding sockets therein, said spring means comprising a pair of springs held in said pair of spring holding sockets.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said first member is a generally inverted channel-shaped in cross-section structure having said second locking lug integral therewith at a forward end thereof; said channelshaped in cross-section structure having opposite sides provided with elongated openings therein; said second member slidably mounted between said opposite sides and having engaging lug portions projecting into said openings; the longitudinal dimension of said engaging lugs being substantially less than the length of said openings to form said engaging portions.

12. The invention, as defined in claim 11, wherein: said first member is provided with a pair of spring holding sockets therein; said spring means comprising a pair of springs held in said pair of spring holding sockets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,276,158 10/1966 Johnston 4241 3,283,436 11/1966 Bills et al. 42--40 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner C. T. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

